How to find an adopted sibling UK – There are a lot of misconceptions around how to find an adopted sibling in the UK. Stories of impossibilities and that once someone has been adopted then that’s it, you wont be able to find them.
My name is David Oates, I am the Head Researcher at Relative Connections, you can view my LinkedIn by clicking here. I am also the director of the adoption support agency which is regulated by Ofsted. I am an expert at answering How To Find An Adopted Sibling UK.
We hear this still to this day ‘I don’t think you can help me because they were adopted’ it’s not the case. There are ways to do this and hopefully this article explains a little more on how to find an adopted sibling UK.
Adoptions we’re formalised here in the UK in 1927 which means that since that point adoption are very well documented with it being a legal process, this is a good thing.
Now, as a member of the public (even as an immediate member of the birth family of an adoptee) you don’t have the rights to legally access adoptions records. But, this doesn’t mean that your adopted relative cannot be found.
Most people who were adopted experience a name change in some way via the adoption process. So, it’s unlikely that you can find the information needed to successfully locate them with certainty.
There are a number of things you can try to show your interest in wanting to find someone who has been adopted and also to try and actively seek them too.
The Adoption Contact Register – is designed as a platform for you to add your details to in hope that your adopted relative will do the same. Then the government will seek a way to reconnect you once they know there is an amicable, consented want for contact from both sides.
The downside to this being, not everyone is aware it exists and you could be waiting a while for things to happen, potentially even years. You can find out more here https://www.gov.uk/adoption-records/the-adoption-contact-register
DNA Searching – We have heard many stories of DNA successfully connecting adoptees and birth relatives. You can find online DNA test on sites such as Ancestry, My Heritage and 23 and Me to name a few. Ancestry boasts the biggest databases and also lets you download your raw DNA data so you can then upload it to other databases. This will save on buying for test elsewhere and give you more scope if you’re across multiple platforms too.
When you upload your test results you will be added to a pool of other people that have done the same and their algorithms will then read your DNA and match you up against other people that are on their databases. It will also give you an idea of how you are connected by shared centimorgans (cMs) the higher the cMs the closer you are as a match to each other.
If you are trying to work out how to find an adopted sibling UK then this may help but please bear in mind, that the person you’re looking for would have needed to have taken a test too for you to match to each other. Again, it can be a bit of a waiting game.
Direct tracing – This is where we come in. This is a not waiting a round method but a way of actively seeking someone.
So, in the UK all adoptions a governed by Ofsted, which means to access adoption records you need to be Ofsted registered.
There are only a handful of companies out there that can do this now with the likes of After Adoption going unto administration some years back.
The good news is we work alongside our sister company who are an Ofsted registered Adoption Support Agency.
Basically, this mean that by working with them we can access adoption records direct, find the information needed surrounding the adoption (such as name changes) then we can utilise our unique tracing methods to move forward and then locate them to a current resident address for you.
Its doesn’t stop there. Because of the strict laws around the protection of data surrounding adoptees it’s also a legal requirement to then act as an intermediary too.
We build the contact stage into the service so we will make that all important first contact for you. This isn’t in place just to protect the data of each of you but its to allow time, breathing space and guidance too.
We have counsellors, therapists and support workers on board to ensure everyone feels fully supported through the whole process. We get, it’s a big thing for everyone. We strive for everyone’s experience to run a smooth as possible. It doesn’t have to be daunting, it should be pleasant and rewarding too.
We hope you found this article of how to find an adopted sibling UK useful. If you have any questions or would like any more information on how to find an adopted sibling UK then you can book a call with one of our expert consultants below, they’d be happy to talk you through how we can help once we better understand your particular situation.
How To Find An Adopted Sibling UK.